Wireline Y-Plug Retrieval With Force-Reducing Release Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Wirelines lack sufficient tensile strength to remove Y-plugs from wellbores, necessitating costly fishing or workover operations when conventional methods fail.

Innovation Solution

A release mechanism, such as a mechanical jarring unit or a self-releasing Y-plug, is employed to reduce the force required to unseat the Y-plug from the bypass branch, allowing the wireline to safely remove it without exceeding safety thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireline is used to remove Y-plug, then logging operation can be performed, but wireline lacks sufficient tensile strength to remove Y-plug

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogging operationVSAvoidtensile strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A release mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the wireline and the Y-plug. This release mechanism reduces the force required to unseat the Y-plug from the bypass branch, acting as a mediator that enables the wireline to successfully remove the Y-plug without requiring the wireline to directly overcome the full sealing force alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If sufficient tension is applied to remove Y-plug, then Y-plug can be removed, but wireline may exceed safety threshold tensile force

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveY-plug removalVSAvoidwireline safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The release mechanism performs a preliminary action by reducing the force required to unseat the Y-plug before the wireline applies its full tensile force. This preliminary reduction in required force ensures that when the wireline applies tension to remove the Y-plug, it remains below the safety threshold, preventing wireline failure while still achieving productive removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of repair

If conventional fishing or workover operation is used to retrieve wireline, then wireline can be retrieved, but costly interventions are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireline retrievalVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The release mechanism enables the wireline to perform its own retrieval operation without requiring external fishing or workover operations. By reducing the force required to unseat the Y-plug, the release mechanism allows the wireline to safely apply sufficient tension to remove the Y-plug and retrieve itself, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for costly conventional retrieval operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250243728A1Mechanisms and systems to retrieve wireline y-plug in esp wells

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A wellbore system includes a production tubing extending from a surface location into a wellbore and a Y-tool assembly fluidly coupled to the production tubing. The Y-tool assembly includes a production branch having an electrical submersible pump (ESP) coupled therein and a bypass branch extending along the production branch. A wireline extends from the surface location through the production tubing and the production branch of the Y-tool assembly, and an intervention tool is coupled to a lower end of the wireline. A Y-plug is seated within the bypass branch and forms a circumferential seal with an inner wall of the bypass branch. The Y-plug includes a sealed opening through which the wireline passes and forms a dynamic seal. A release mechanism is operable to reduce a force required to unseat the Y-plug from the bypass branch to below a safety threshold tensile force defined by the wireline.